Friday, 29 January 2016

Barbie available in 'curvy, tall and petite' sizes

Barbie, the iconic plastic toy doll model, is getting three new body types this year.


Composite image of new Barbie models
The US company behind the famous toy, Mattel, is adding "tall, curvy and petite" body shapes to its line-up of the fashion dolls.
Several skin tones, eye colours and hair styles will also be added to the collection, the company said.
Barbie's figure has come under fire for years, with critics arguing it set an unrealistic body image for girls.

With the new body shapes, the toy makers say they are "offering girls choices that are more reflective of the world they see today".
Last year, the company introduced 23 new dolls to its so-called Fashionistas line with varied skin and hair colours, and a much touted flat foot - replacing Barbie's signature heels.
With this year's update, the Barbie Fashionistas line will feature:
  • 33 new dolls
  • 30 hair colours
  • 24 hairstyles
  • 22 eye colours
  • 14 face shapes
  • 7 skin tones
  • 4 body shapes - original, plus tall, curvy and petite


"We are excited to literally be changing the face of the brand - these new dolls represent a line that is more reflective of the world girls see around them - the variety in body type, skin tones and style allows girls to find a doll that speaks to them," Mattel executive Evelyn Mazzocco said in a statement.

From BBC News

Sunday, 17 January 2016

Squirrel caught 'diving' in snow

Everyone's been enjoying the snow this weekend - including this little squirrel in Estonia, Eastern Europe.

Temperatures in the area reached around minus 12 this month. 
He was diving into the snow to find some food - watch this clip to see how he gets on.
So cute!

From CBBC Newsround

Sunday, 10 January 2016

How to make a fortune teller

Cootie catchers have always been popular among youngesters.
 Watch the video and learn how to make one

Cootie catchers can provide lots of fun with your schoolmates and friends

They can be the reason to socialize or make some new friends. If you have difficulties in making friends at your new school or you are too shy to start a conversation, try the cootie catchers! 
They're easy to make  and can be very helpful

Monday, 4 January 2016

New app helps reveal amount of sugar in food and drink

A new mobile phone app has been launched to try help people understand how much sugar is in their food and drink.

The sugar app from Public Health England
The app scans barcodes of thousands of food and drink products to reveal total sugar content

The app, from a government group called Public Health England, works by scanning barcodes to reveal the total sugar content, in cubes or grams, of more than 75,000 products.
The group hope it will help combat tooth decay and obesity by encouraging families to choose healthier options, by showing just how much sugar is in everyday food and drink.
It's thought young children are eating three times more sugar than the recommended limit at the moment.
A toddler drinking from a juice carton
A small carton of juice can contain more than five cubes of sugar

How much sugar?

  • a can of cola - nine cubes of sugar
  • a chocolate bar - six cubes of sugar
  • a small carton of juice - more than five cubes of sugar

Daily recommended sugar limits

  • Four to six year olds - five sugar cubes or 19g
  • Seven to ten year olds - six sugar cubes or 24g
  • 11 year olds and above - seven sugar cubes or 30g
Source: Public Health England
From CBBC Newsround

Friday, 1 January 2016

13-year-old schoolboy on New Year Honours list

A schoolboy fundraiser has been awarded a British Empire Medal on the New Year Honours list.

Jonjo Heuerman
Jonjo Heuerman was inspired to raise money by the death of his grandmother

Jonjo Heuerman, from Dartford, England, has raised more than £235,000 for Cancer Research UK's Bobby Moore Fund.
"It was a big surprise, because I never thought I could get something like this at this age," Jonjo said.
"It made me feel quite proud of myself because I've worked really hard over the last five years."
Jonjo will receive his award, which is special medal, from the Queen or other members of the Royal Family at a ceremony later in 2016.
Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet Trophy
Bobby Moore who lifted the World Cup for England in 1966 died of bowel cancer in 1993
He added: "In 2009 my Nan died from bowel cancer - she had been fighting it for a very long time.
"My football hero Bobby Moore also died from it about 20 years ago, and I decided to fundraise for the Bobby Moore Fund."
The teenager has walked and cycled thousands of miles across Britain since the death of his grandmother Lyn.
Jonjo said the hardest challenge had been in February when he undertook a 700-mile cycle ride, visiting all of the Premier League football clubs in England.
In February 2015, Jonjo cycled to all of England's Premier League football clubs for charity
Jonjo said the hardest challenge had been in February when he undertook a 700-mile cycle ride, visiting all of the Premier League football clubs in England.
He then returned to London and walked to all of the capital's Premier League clubs.
"I'm in training for the next one which is in April. I'm going to be cycling and walking from Germany all the way to the UK," Jonjo said.
Jonjo is one of nearly 1,200 people who have been named on the New Year Honours list.
From CBBC Newsround